01/12/2026

Three Charged in Widespread Bank Fraud & Thefts from USPS

Morristown Minute

Federal complaint alleges year-long conspiracy targeting postal mail across Northern New Jersey, including check fraud and social media recruitment

Three men from Union, Essex, and Middlesex counties have been charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to steal mail from U.S. Postal Service collection boxes and delivery vehicles across Northern New Jersey, federal prosecutors announced January 12.

Jeffrey Bennett, also known as “Bizz” and “Riley Smith,” 31, of Irvington and Rahway; Aquil Hubbard, 31, of Middlesex and Newark; and Tashon Ragan, also known as “Ta,” 26, of Union, were arrested and made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court. All three defendants were ordered detained pending further proceedings.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the alleged conspiracy spanned from December 2024 to December 2025. Prosecutors say the three men systematically stole mail and packages from public USPS collection boxes and from unsecured or forcibly entered postal vehicles. The defendants allegedly targeted mail for valuable contents, including checks and financial instruments, which they altered and attempted to deposit at banks throughout New Jersey.